New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday told his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu that the Ukraine conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side.

The call, initiated by a request from the Russian side, follows unsubstantiated allegations made by Moscow that Ukraine plans to use a "dirty bomb" with radioactive elements. Shoigu briefed Singh on the evolving situation in Ukraine, including his concerns about possible "provocations through use of 'dirty bomb'", the defence ministry said.

"Singh reiterated India's position on the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy for an early resolution of the conflict," the ministry said.

"He pointed out that the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side as the prospect of the usage of nuclear or radiological weapons goes against the basic tenets of humanity," it said.

It said the two ministers also discussed bilateral defence cooperation as well as the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.

Hostilities between Russia and Ukraine have escalated over the past few weeks, ever since a bridge that connects Crimea with Russia was destroyed in a blast nearly two weeks ago. Moscow blamed Kyiv for the blast and carried out retaliatory missile strikes targeting various Ukrainian cities in response.

In the past week, the Indian embassy in Ukraine issued two advisories asking Indian nationals to leave the country at the earliest in view of the fresh wave of hostilities.

Russian defence minister Shoigu made calls to his Chinese counterpart as well on Wednesday, conveying Moscow's warning that it believed Ukraine intended to detonate a "dirty bomb" with radioactive contaminants.

He had made a series of calls earlier in the week with NATO defence ministers.

Moscow also took its accusation to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, voicing its concerns during a closed-door meeting.

Kyiv and its Western allies have not only rejected Russia's allegation but also voiced concern that Moscow is using it as a pretext for a further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "We have information that suggests Ukraine is preparing for such a terrorist sabotage, and we will vigorously continue to convey our point of view to the world community in order to encourage them to take active steps to prevent such irresponsible behaviour."

Russia has not made public the evidence that it says it has, but says it has prepared its troops to work under conditions of nuclear contamination.

(With agency inputs)

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